Axes and alcohol - what could go wrong?
A Wellington axe-throwing venue argues nothing but some experts disagree.
It's in the final stages of its bid for a liquor licence, with submissions closing Wednesday.
Getting drunk and hurling an axe can get messy.
But a scene from the 1989 film Eric the Viking is not something the Sweet Axe Throwing Company aims to recreate.
"We're just looking to give our customers that extra little bit of being able to enjoy themselves," Sweet Axe Throwing co-owner Lloyd Bombell tells Newshub.
It is, however, hoping to combine beer with axe-throwing. It's applying for a liquor licence for its Wellington venue - but only under strict rules.
"We will not allow people to throw under the influence," Bombell says.
This is how it would work: patrons can have one drink after a safety briefing. After an hour of doing this they get to have their second and final drink.
Those drinks would be under 5 percent alcohol.
"If you think you can have two beers and drive, that's a lot more dangerous than considering two beers and throwing an axe," Bombell says.
Bombell has been granted liquor licences for one-off events - and says customers have never been seriously injured.
But some health experts think its application is missing the mark.
"We know the effects of alcohol begin at low levels. From the first drink your motor coordination is impacted so this is an inherently dangerous activity," Alcohol Healthwatch executive director Dr Nicki Jackson says.
In its submission, Regional Public Health argued that combining axe-throwing with any alcohol would be dangerous.
Wellingtonians Newshub spoke to were split.
"It's not a very good idea," one told Newshub.
"Not a bad thing, I've actually been to the axe-throwing place myself," another said.
"I don't think it's safe," one person added.
Written submissions close on Wednesday, and if Sweet Axe Co gets a liquor licence in the capital - it aims to apply for one at its Auckland venue as well.
